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"Let's Get Dark Sky Status For The Isle Of Wight", Says Central Wight Representative

Dark sky

Solutions are being sought to get the Isle of Wight Dark Sky status -  which is awarded to the areas that are the best for seeing the stars at night.

Despite the Island being previously rejected for the status of an International Dark Sky Park, an Isle of Wight councillor who lives in Brighstone says he wants to “find a solution” to achieve the recognition.

To achieve the recognition, you need good sightlines which are not blocked by trees or tall buildings.

Councilllor Steve Hastings, Cabinet Member for Environment, Heritage and Waste Management told Isle of Wight Radio, Dark Sky status would be beneficial to the environment, tourism, Islanders and add “another string” to the Isle of Wight’s bow.

Speaking exclusively to Isle of Wight Radio, Cllr Hastings said:

“I am very much a supporter of Dark Skies...On our road, in Brighstone we have no street lights so we have beautiful sunsets and then later on we have a clear sky. I walk out to the edge of the drive and look up and it is amazing to see the starts - there is no better feeling - I want all Islanders to experience it.”

He added:

“We are a tourist Island, it is a good tourist offer that we have all these special designations (AONB, SSSI) so Dark Skies is another one I think would be really good if we could add...Local residents and Brighstone Parish Council are very supportive as well.”

In the area of the Isle of Wight where we were hoping to achieve the official status, the street lights were upgraded to LED lights but are said to be the “wrong temperature for Dark Skies” which is why the Island’s request was rejected last year.

Isle of Wight Radio understands the lights were recently upgraded, therefore Councillor Hastings says it would be “costly” to change them - but a solution is being sought to potentially “swap” certain lights - to “satisfy” the requirements.

Read more about Dark Sky status here.

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